Mr. Kerry, though, said in his address to the OAS that the Obama administration stands with Mr. Almagro “in calling on the Venezuelan government to release political prisoners, to respect freedom of expression and assembly, to alleviate shortages of food and medicine, and to honor its own constitutional mechanisms.”

“Venezuelans have the right to use constitutional mechanisms to express their will in a peaceful and a democratic manner,” Mr. Kerry said.

Eight days ahead of a new OAS meeting to discuss the Democratic Charter in relation to Venezuela, with the UNASUR mediation dead, with Maduro refusing to meet UNASUR advisors, and Argentina’s opposition to the charter invocation apparently overcome, with Delcy lamely complaining of ‘international bullying’ and the Supreme Tribunal taking a brave stance againstHumanitarian Assistance the Venezuelan government has never looked more isolated in the hemisphere.

The next eight days will be critical to the denouement of the crisis. Strap in.

Caracas Chronicles is 100% reader-supported. Support independent Venezuelan journalism by making a donation.